Parliamentary questions

Departmental Funding

Ciarán Cannon

42. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will open up a new round of funding for upgrade and refurbishment works in community centres in County Galway. [20898/24]

Departmental Schemes

Alan Farrell

43. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on her Department's efforts to bring more vacant buildings into use in towns and villages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20571/24]

Departmental Schemes

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

44. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development how Carlow is benefiting from the 2023 town and village renewal scheme. [20607/24]

Rural Schemes

Peadar Tóibín

45. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on the work and progress of 'Our Rural Future'. [20533/24]

Departmental Schemes

Darren O'Rourke

46. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline, in relation to internships, apprenticeships and graduate schemes run by her Department, the places that are available in County Meath; the number filled in County Meath; if there are plans to increase same; the length of any waiting list for places in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20811/24]

Island Communities

Catherine Connolly

47. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 5 March 2024, for a status update on the transfer to her Department of land on Inisbofin on which the airstrip is situated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20762/24]

Youth Services

Aindrias Moynihan

48. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for the up-to-date position on the recommendation of the National Rural Youth Assembly, Summary Report 2023 to provide a community liaison person who would facilitate contact between younger people in the community and Government bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20732/24]

Departmental Funding

Joe Flaherty

321. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she intends to announce funding for local organisations under the community services programme Pobal fund. [21062/24]

Departmental Contracts

Peadar Tóibín

322. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of publicly funded contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) by her Department in each of the past ten years; the cost of each contract; and the purpose for which each contract was awarded. [18662/24]

Childcare Services

Pearse Doherty

323. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the assistance her Department can provide for a playgroup (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18304/24]

Rural Recreation Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

324. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her Department's plans to support long, cross-county walking trails in order to optimise their development for the benefit of villages along their routes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16697/24]

Rural Schemes

Michael Healy-Rae

325. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on when a decision will be made in respect of a funding application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21002/24]

Control of Dogs

Niamh Smyth

326. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the rules/guidelines in relation to restricted dog breeds in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21004/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

327. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total expenditure she expects to be in a position to make in respect of rural and community efforts with particular reference to demographics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21131/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

328. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to outline her expectations in relation to proposed expenditure under the heading of local and community proposals with particular reference to the various needs emerging as determined by the most applicable criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21132/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

329. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications in hand to date from urban and rural community groups for assistance under schemes available through her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21133/24]

Rural Schemes

Bernard Durkan

330. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she expects to extend the criteria whereby urban and rural community groups might be expected to more readily qualify for grant assistance from her Department depending on the need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21134/24]

Digital Hubs

Bernard Durkan

331. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department continue to encourage the creation of digital hubs outside of the main areas of investment with a view to lowering the pressure on transport and communications in those areas most densely populated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21135/24]

Rural Schemes

Bernard Durkan

332. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the full extent of awards made by her Department under the town and village renewal scheme throughout Ireland; her expectations in respect of this or similar schemes in the course of the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21136/24]

Rural Schemes

Bernard Durkan

333. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she might consider broadening the eligibility for the various rural community schemes operated by her Department in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21137/24]

Public Participation Networks

Bernard Durkan

334. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent of her Department's support through the public participation network for various groups and communities around the country over the past two years; her future proposals in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21138/24]

Rural Schemes

Bernard Durkan

335. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the expenditure to date under the rural regeneration and development fund; the extent to which the fund has attracted local indigenous support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21139/24]

Rural Schemes

Bernard Durkan

336. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which her Department continues to address the issue of urban and rural isolation with particular reference to those who live alone and depend on community support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21140/24]

Voluntary Sector

David Stanton

337. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline the actions that have been taken by her department under the National Volunteering Strategy 2021-2025 to increase awareness among individuals, families and groups of how their skills, interests and education can contribute to society; the amount expended to date on this specific commitment under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21157/24]

Community Development Projects

Bernard Durkan

664. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to indicate the potential funding available for a group (details supplied); the appropriate scheme, if any, in respect of which this group should apply for to secure funding for this valuable community service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20190/24]

Departmental Staff

Carol Nolan

665. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of employees within her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department who are currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations; to outline, in tabular form, the length of time these employees have been under suspension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20321/24]

European Union

Matt Carthy

666. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the EU programmes or funds outside of the multiannual financial framework that Ireland has paid into from the year 2014 to date; any receipts from same, by programme or fund, by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20362/24]

Rural Schemes

Robert Troy

667. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an updated timeline on the new Leader fund; and when information on the various funding streams and criteria will be issued to local authorities and development companies. [20562/24]

Community Development Projects

Niall Collins

668. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason an application (details supplied) was unsuccessful; if any similar proposals were successful in this round or in previous rounds; if this group can reapply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20594/24]

Community Development Projects

Niamh Smyth

669. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the community recognition fund 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20623/24]

Departmental Data

Paul Donnelly

670. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of full-time qualified barristers employed by the Charities Regulator in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and the civil service grade this post is normally filled by. [20636/24]

Community Development Projects

Mairéad Farrell

671. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the Cappahoosh mountain trail in Connemara, which received funding through the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme; the status of the project; when it is expected to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20658/24]

Departmental Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

323. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development whether new expressions of interest are being accepted at present by her Department for the community services project scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20035/24]

Departmental Funding

Cathal Crowe

324. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of funding provided in each county under the community centre investment fund, launched in March 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20082/24]

Burial Grounds

Michael Lowry

332. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures that are in place to ensure consistent oversight of burial ground management practices across all local authorities; how frequently these measures are reviewed for effectiveness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19553/24]

Burial Grounds

Michael Lowry

333. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development given the critical role of burial ground management in public health and community welfare, if she will provide details of any existing national standards for these practices; if same do not exist, if she will provide an explanation for the absence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19554/24]

Burial Grounds

Michael Lowry

334. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide insights into any known negative practices arising from the lack of standardisation in burial ground management across local authorities; the steps that are being considered to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19555/24]

Burial Grounds

Michael Lowry

335. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development how her Department ensures it maintains adequate knowledge and expertise about sector specific challenges in burial ground management to provide effective guidance and support to local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19556/24]

Burial Grounds

Michael Lowry

336. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is a formal mechanism for local authorities to report issues or challenges back to her Department concerning burial ground management and practices; if so, how this information is actioned to improve sector-wide practices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19557/24]

Departmental Staff

Alan Kelly

337. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of WTE accountants employed by her Department in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [19798/24]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Griffin

338. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to several Parliamentary Questions (details supplied), if she will identify the local authorities referred to in the replies provided; to list the amounts recouped from each local authority for each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19907/24]

Rural Schemes

Brendan Griffin

339. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is concerned with the vast difference in the average price of LIS roads being improved by local authorities (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19908/24]

Community Development Projects

Violet-Anne Wynne

769. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the administration supports and other supports that are available to a community group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18763/24]

Community Development Projects

Peadar Tóibín

770. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on the current review of CLÁR designated areas within her Department, and when the review will conclude; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18829/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Denis Naughten

771. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total number of copper communication lines within her Department that are currently in active operation and for which her Department is paying for on a monthly basis, inclusive of ISDN, PTSN and copper-based lease lines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18843/24]

Departmental Data

Denis Naughten

772. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of people who have availed of devices under the seniors alert scheme in total since the scheme was first established; the number of people supported each year; to provide an estimate of the number of such devices which are currently active; the total amount spent on the scheme to date; the amount spent on the scheme on average, per annum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18850/24]

Animal Breeding

Jim O'Callaghan

773. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if consideration is being given to restricting the type of dog that can be bred in Ireland on the basis that they are excessively dangerous; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18933/24]

Library Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

774. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current progress and eventual timeline for the provision of an extension for Carlow library (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18936/24]

Rural Schemes

Robert Troy

775. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will urgently examine making amendments to cater for situations where one landowner on a road is refusing to sign up to the local improvement scheme, either as a contributor or has no objection to the scheme, thus depriving other landowners of the opportunity to avail of the scheme. [18982/24]

Departmental Funding

Matt Carthy

776. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide details of each project that received funding from her Department under the rural regeneration and development fund, by county, to date in 2024, in tabular form; the amount received by each project and the total allocation to each county; and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event. [19139/24]